Thursday, November 19, 2009

ULA to delay layoffs to January

United Launch Alliance will delay and reduce layoffs planned for Friday until Jan. 7. The layoffs, expected to affect up to 70 workers, now will affect 20 to 30 ULA employees at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, according to a letter from ULA President and CEO Michael Gass, which was obtained by FLORIDA TODAY.

The layoff delay was enabled by a funding increase from the federal government "for Delta IV launch capability enhancement." The additional funds reportedly totaled $10 million.

With two launches remaining this year, ULA has nine launches scheduled next year.

"This (layoff) delay will allow our Cape launch team to remain focused on mission success for both the upcoming commercial Atlas V Intelsat-14 (Nov. 23) and Air Force Delta IV WGS-3 (Dec. 2) missions," said the letter from Gass. "Our best offense in preventing future reductions is a total commitment to perfect product delivery and 100 percent mission success for our government and commercial customers."

Some 720 ULA employees work at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Nine workers were laid off on Oct. 1.

That is the usual comment from one more jealous burger flipping, lawn mowing, uneducated slob that wishes you had a job at the Cape. Good thing the world needs ditch diggers too, so you will always have a job !!